Bus driver punched in the face by drunk
A bus driver was punched in the face by a drunk after refusing him a ride home because he was eating fish and chips, a court heard.
Julian Brady lashed out at Craig Purvis on the number eight Arriva bus in Bridge Street, Stafford. Cannock Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday how the 51-year-old had been out drinking with colleagues and became angry when he was not allowed on the bus with a bag of fish and chips. Mr Purvis suffered an injured left eye in the attack on June 16.
Prosecuting, Mr Jeff Gibson said: "Brady got on with another passenger. However he was eating fish and chips and the driver declined access. The defendant became agitated and aggressive and punched him."
When police arrested Brady, he told officers the bus driver had been rude and aggressive which upset him so he threw the punch.
The lorry driver, of Heenan Grove, Stafford, admitted a charge of assault by beating.
In mitigation, Mr Glenn Cook said it had just been one punch.
"He accepts the offence and that it was a bus driver who was providing a public service. He deeply regrets it and wants to pass on his apologies to him," he said.
Mr Cook added Brady did not usually drink and it was a one-off offence.
Magistrates gave him a 12-month community order with supervision, ordered him to pay compensation to Mr Purvis of £100 and pay court costs of £85.
Arriva buses spokesman Keith Myatt said: "We welcome the outcome of the court proceedings on the conviction of the person involved in the assault of one of our drivers."
